By: Nate Temple

We are now officially a third of the way through the Bears’ regular season schedule with the Chocolate and White sporting a 17-5-3 record. Ten of those wins have come away from home (10-0-2-0).

It’s no secret that the Bears have a massive target on their backs. That comes with the territory of winning back-to-back Calder Cups. 

If you’re a big hockey fan, you’ve probably heard of, and seen, Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts. It’s a really informative piece/podcast he does to dive into the happenings around the NHL. Credit to him for his hard work and inspiration into the piecing of this article. 

Below are my 13 thoughts on the state of the Hershey Bears: 

1. Despite owning the AHL’s best record, the Bears are missing a significant “jam” element on their back end. The defense, in general, seems way easier to play against (2.88 goals against average, which is fourth-highest in Atlantic Division and fifth-highest in Eastern Conference). It’s impossible to replace the hole Dylan McIlrath left behind after becoming a full timer in DC. This defense is designed to burn the opposition through speed and successful puck transports more so than grit and grime. They’ve been in some barn burners where the Chocolate and White have outscored their problems at times. Head coach Todd Nelson has made it a point over his tenure in Hershey to be a hard team to play against. They’ve scored the most goals for (91), so it comes down to tidying up defensively. It takes everyone on the ice to play effective defense. 
2. Hershey dressed 11 defenders during the regular season last year and tallied a combined 31 goals (Chase Priskie led the way with eight, while Logan Day followed with six). Through a third of the way through, Bears blue liners have mustered up 18 goals with 10 defenders earning a sweater. Priskie leads with six. It’s a noticeable offensive improvement early. 
3. Piggybacking off of this, Vincent Iorio has scored three times in 23 games so far. He set a career high last season of four through 60 regular season tilts. He’s 22. If he can continue to build his overall game, it’ll pay dividends for the Capitals brass. 
4. As one would probably expect with save percentages down across all levels of hockey, they are down for Hunter Shepard and Clay Stevenson. As of this writing, Shepard owns a .902 mark while Stevenson sits at .880. It was definitely a rough start for Stevenson, but individual and team play has improved for him at the moment. He’s stopped at least 91% of the shots he faced in his last two starts. Shepard, on the other hand, has done this once in his last five starts and twice in his last 11. If the last two seasons have told us anything, it’s that there will be improvement. 
5. Ethen Frank continues doing what he does best: score goals. Up to 18 on the season, he continues to be the consistent goal scorer Bears fans know and love. After a not-so-strong showing at training camp, I think Frank is playing with even more conviction. He’s great on the power play. He continues blowing by the opposition with his speed. However, I’d also like to see him kill penalties. Swiss Army knives last, especially in Capitals coach Spencer Carbery’s system. 
6. Speaking of Swiss Army knives, one player who I’d like to see get more regular time when team is at full strength: Zac Funk. One season removed from a 67-goal campaign with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars, Funk has Swiss Army knife-like potential to play in all situations. It also helps that he’s in an environment that doesn’t tolerate one-way style play. In nine games, he’s recorded three points (one goal, two assists). I was in attendance in Allentown on Nov. 16 when he notched his first goal and assist. It was a really cool moment for him, and the Bears needed every ounce of that production. It takes an adjustment to the pro game, but I think he’s someone who can stick. Give him the Aliaksei Protas/Connor McMichael development path. Make him play in all situations. Up and down the lineup. Give him tough love when he deserves it. 
7. One guy who should never come out of the lineup? Brennan Saulnier. He’s a gamer. Honey badger. Speedy. Tenacious. Team guy. At the aforementioned game above, Saulnier fought 6’5” Phantoms defender Hunter McDonald. When they dropped the gloves, first thing I said to my wife: I’m not entirely sure McDonald knew what he was getting himself into. Sure enough, Saulnier scored a resounding victory. He plays the game hard and the right way. It’s easy to tell he’s loved by the team. Lesson to be learned: read the game notes.
8. The Capitals will eventually have to replace fourth-line center Nic Dowd. He needs a new contract this offseason. If he doesn’t re-sign, Henrik Rybinski should get a long look. He turned quite a few heads at training camp. He’s on their radar and deservedly so. I’ve really liked his game this season. 
9. Speaking of a steady Eddy, one has to think Bogdan Trineyev is closer to getting a promotion than staying. He’s done everything coaches have asked for. Not saying it happens this season by any stretch. However, he’ll certainly be knocking on the door if he continues to be a security blanket in the bottom six.
10. Pierrick Dube, who scored 28 goals during the regular season last year, is only on pace for 14 this go around. If he can heat up, look out. 
11. The Bears have one of their Pennsylvania foes, the Wilkes-Barre Penguins, breathing down their neck in the Atlantic Division standings. From here on out, every game between these two will be magnified.
12. Speaking of playing Pennsylvania opponents, is it really necessary to play the Baby Pens and Phantoms 12 times each in the regular season? In a span of nine days, the Chocolate and White played these teams a combined five times (Pens twice, Phantoms the remaining three) – going 3-1-1 in that stretch. The Bears and Phantoms exercised some bad blood in the Bears’ thrilling 5-4 win on Dec. 8. Substitute some (maybe five each?) of those games for more East-West crossover matchups. It’s different and fun for the players, coaches and fans. Playing a seven-game regular season series, in this scenario, gives you a playoff feel before the postseason begins. 
13. Not only does Hershey own the AHL’s top spot, the Capitals and Stingrays are tied for first in the NHL and ECHL, respectively. It’s amazing to see the development and hard work translate to on-ice success this early on. It’s an exciting time for the entire organization.  

Hershey resumes action on Wednesday in Hartford to take on the WolfPack. The week concludes with a back-to-back in Syracuse against the Crunch on Friday and at home against Charlotte Checkers on Saturday. Saturday’s game is an all-fan giveaway where everyone will receive an Aaron Ness bobblehead.